7 heart surgery patients return

Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge

Bianca Leboho : Herald Reporter

Seven heart patients who successfully underwent cardiac operations in India with assistance from a parastatal in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development have returned home. They were welcomed by Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Samuel Undenge, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, officials from the two ministries and the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC).The patients, aged between four and 18 years went to India last month for the operation with some expenses paid for by NOIC.

The Rotarians club was responsible for seeking sponsorship and facilitation of travel documents among other administrative roles.

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Addressing parents of the children who underwent the surgeries, patients and delegates who attended the ceremony in Harare yesterday, Dr Undenge said it was important for companies to observe with interest challenges faced by communities in which they operated.

“NOIC falls under my ministry and is normally responsible for fuel logistics. It, however, set out to make an impact in the lives of the ordinary man and woman on the street, which is quite commendable,” said Dr Undenge.

He said the children who travelled to India on July 11 and returned on 9 August, mostly came from poor families and would never have been able to afford to pay for the procedures conducted on them.

“After the heart procedures the children most of whom had been told that they had little time left to live, are now expected to live normal lives.”

“As a ministry, through NOIC, we will continue monitoring the progress of these children and we will assist them financially in as far as advancing their education is concerned,” said Dr Undenge.

Dr Parirenyatwa said the work done by the Ministry of Energy through NOIC was the beginning of a relationship that would possibly foster further financial assistance in the facilitation of open heart surgeries in the country and beyond its borders.

“NOIC in conjunction with the Rotarians have worked hard to ensure that ten of our children with acute heart conditions, which gave them a life span of not more than ten years are operated on albeit in India and they are all looking extremely healthy.

“As a ministry, we are grateful for the initiative,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said Parirenyatwa Hospital was successfully performing open heart surgeries as previously announced although the procedure was still on a small scale.

“As a country we resumed open heart surgeries earlier this year but patients should still get assistance across the borders if they can because we are not yet able to perform the surgeries on a large scale.”